Base-station-to-base-station gateway and related devices, methods, and systems

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a base-station-to-base-station (BS-BS) gateway in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular communication network and methods of operation thereof. In one embodiment, the BS-BS gateway receives information from a first base station which includes a hostname and a network address of the first base station. The BS-BS gateway then stores a mapping between the hostname and the network address. Thereafter, in one embodiment, the BS-BS gateway enables a second base station to address messages to the first base station using the hostname of the first base station. In this manner, changes in the network address of the first base station will not affect the ability of the second base station to address messages to the first base station. In some embodiments, the first base station is a low-power base station (LP-BS) and the second base station is a high-power base station (HP-BS).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/721,745, filed Nov. 2, 2012, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application serialnumber ______, entitled METHODS FOR BASE-STATION-TO-BASE-STATIONCONNECTION MANAGEMENT, which was filed ______, which is commonly ownedand assigned and is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a base-station-to-base-station gatewayin a cellular communication network.

BACKGROUND

A conventional Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular communication network10, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a Radio Access Network (RAN) 12including a number of Evolved/E-UTRAN Node Bs (eNBs) 14-1 through 14-3(generally referred to herein collectively as eNBs 14 and individuallyas eNB 14) that provide wireless radio access to wireless devices,otherwise known as user equipment devices (UEs) (not shown). The eNBs 14communicate with one another via X2 connections and communicate with acore network 16 via S1 connections. The core network 16 includes one ormore Mobility Management Entities (MMEs) 18, which are control nodesthat are responsible for, among other things, tracking UEs as they movethrough the LTE cellular communication network 10. The MMEs 18 are alsoresponsible for assigning the UEs to Serving-Gateways (S-GWs) 20. TheS-GWs 20 route and forward user data packets, while also acting asmobility anchors for the user plane during inter-eNB handovers and asanchors for mobility between LTE and other 3^(rd) Generation PartnershipProject (3GPP) technologies.

FIG. 2 illustrates a heterogeneous deployment of both eNBs 14 and HomeEvolved/E-UTRAN Node Bs (HeNBs) 22-1 through 22-3 (generally referred toherein collectively as HeNBs 22 and individually as HeNB 22) that hasbeen proposed to improve coverage and increase capacity of the LTEcellular communication network 10. The addition of low-power basestations (LP-BSs), such as the HeNBs 22, to the LTE cellularcommunication network 10 poses new problems not present in aconventional homogeneous cellular communication network. Like the eNBs14, the HeNBs 22 use S1 connections to communicate with the core network16 (not shown) and X2 connections to communicate with other HeNBs 22 andeNBs 14. In particular, there is a need for systems and methods thatimprove management of X2 communication between base stations and, inparticular, between the eNB 14 and the HeNBs 22.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a base-station-to-base-station (BS-BS)gateway in a cellular communication network and methods of operationthereof. In one embodiment, the BS-BS gateway receives information froma first base station which includes a hostname and a network address ofthe first base station. The BS-BS gateway then stores a mapping betweenthe hostname and the network address. Thereafter, in one embodiment, theBS-BS gateway enables a second base station to address messages to thefirst base station using the hostname of the first base station. In thismanner, changes in the network address of the first base station willnot affect the ability of the second base station to address messages tothe first base station. In some embodiments, the first base station is alow-power base station (LP-BS) and the second base station is ahigh-power base station (HP-BS). As used herein “low-power base station”and “high-power base station” may be used to distinguish between basestations based on their permanent capabilities, current configuration,and/or their operation at a specific instant. Thus, in particularembodiments that include both low-power base stations and high-powerbase stations, a low-power base station may represent a device withcomparable or identical components and capabilities to those of thehigh-power base stations but that is merely configured differently from,or operating in a different manner from, the high-power base stations ata given point in time.

In a further embodiment, the cellular communication network is a LongTerm Evolution (LTE) cellular communication network and the BS-BSgateway is an X2 Gateway (X2-GW). Further, in one embodiment, the X2-GWreceives the information including the hostname and network address viaa Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) INIT message from theLP-BS (e.g., a Home Evolved/E-UTRAN Node B (HeNB)). In one embodiment,the hostname of the LP-BS is a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN)determined from a Global eNB Identity of the LP-BS.

In one embodiment, a BS-BS gateway receives a connection initiation froma first base station to initiate a connection to a second base station.The BS-BS gateway then informs the first base station that the BS-BSgateway is a BS-BS gateway. Further, in one embodiment, the cellularcommunication network is an LTE cellular communication network and theBS-BS gateway is an X2-GW. Still further, in one embodiment, the firstbase station is an HP-BS, and the second base station is an LP-BS.

In one embodiment, a BS-BS gateway receives a message from a first basestation where the destination is identified as a hostname of a secondbase station. The BS-BS gateway then obtains the network address of thesecond base station from a mapping between a hostname of the second basestation and a network address of the second base station, and sends themessage to the second base station using the network address of thesecond base station. Further, in one embodiment, the BS-BS gateway is anX2-GW. Still further, in one embodiment, the first base station is anHP-BS, and the second base station is an LP-BS.

In one embodiment, a base station determines its own hostname andnetwork address. The base station then sends information including thehostname and network address to a BS-BS gateway. In one embodiment, thecellular communication network is an LTE cellular communication network,the BS-BS gateway is an X2-GW, and the base station sends theinformation including the hostname and network address of the basestation to the X2-GW via an SCTP INIT message.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the presentdisclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments inassociation with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part ofthis specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellularcommunication network;

FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional heterogeneous LTE cellularcommunication network;

FIG. 3 illustrates a heterogeneous LTE cellular communication networkincluding an X2 gateway (X2-GW) for X2 connections betweenEvolved/E-UTRAN Node Bs (eNBs) and Home Evolved/E-UTRAN Node Bs (HeNBs)according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a field format for chunks transmitted in a StreamControl Transmission Protocol (SCTP) packet;

FIG. 5 illustrates a chunk transmitted in an SCTP packet wherein theChunk Type is set to ERROR and the Cause Code is set to User InitiatedAbort;

FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the heterogeneous LTE cellularcommunication network of FIG. 3 where the X2-GW obtains mappings ofhostnames to network addresses of the HeNBs according to one embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A illustrates the composition of an Evolved Universal TerrestrialRadio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Cell Global Identifier (ECGI), an E-UTRANCell Identifier (ECI), and a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) ID, whichare utilized to create hostnames according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7B illustrates the composition of an ECGI, an ECI (where the ECI isthe eNB ID), and a PLMN ID, which are utilized to create hostnamesaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of the X2-GW of FIG. 3 to enableaddressing of X2 messages between the eNBs and the HeNBs using thehostnames of the HeNBs according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a process by which an eNB of FIG. 3 receivesconfiguration information about an HeNB via an Automated NeighborRelation (ANR) and Transport Network Layer (TNL) address discoveryprocess that enables the eNB to establish an X2 connection to the HeNBvia the X2-GW according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate the operation of the heterogeneous LTEcellular communication network of FIG. 3, where an HeNB indirectlynotifies one or more eNBs that the HeNB is unavailable via the X2-GWaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates the operation of the heterogeneous LTE cellularcommunication network of FIG. 3, where the X2-GW directly notifies oneor more eNBs that an HeNB is unavailable as determined by the X2-GWaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates a heterogeneous LTE cellular communication networkin which one base station notifies other base stations of itsunavailability according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate the operation of the heterogeneous LTEcellular communication network of FIG. 12 where an HeNB directlynotifies one or more eNBs that the HeNB is unavailable according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of one of the eNBs of FIG. 3 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of one of the HeNBs of FIG. 3 according toone embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the X2-GW of FIG. 3 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information toenable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments andillustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading thefollowing description in light of the accompanying drawing figures,those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosureand will recognize applications of these concepts not particularlyaddressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts andapplications fall within the scope of the disclosure and theaccompanying claims.

The present disclosure relates to managing base-station-to-base-station(BS-BS) communication connections in a cellular communication network.While the embodiments described below are for a Long Term Evolution(LTE) cellular communication network, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. The concepts disclosed herein are applicable to anysuitable type of cellular communication network. As such, while LTEterminology is sometimes used herein, such terminology should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, asused herein, the term LTE encompasses both LTE and LTE Advanced.

Before describing various embodiments of the present disclosure, adiscussion of some particular issues related to X2 connection managementin the heterogeneous deployment of a conventional LTE cellularcommunication network 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 is beneficial. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the heterogeneous deployment of the conventionalLTE cellular communication network 10 includes Evolved/E-UTRAN Node Bs(eNBs) 14 as well as Home Evolved/E-UTRAN Node Bs (HeNBs) 22, which areused to extend the coverage area and increase the capacity of theconventional LTE cellular communication network 10. The addition of theHeNBs 22 to the conventional LTE cellular communication network 10 posesnew problems not present in a conventional homogeneous cellularcommunication network.

One such problem results from additional X2 connections required for theHeNBs 22. As a result of the additional X2 connections, there is asignificant increase in resources at the eNB 14 needed to manage the X2connections. More specifically, for effective administration of a RadioAccess Network (RAN) 12, it is desirable for each eNB 14 to have X2connections with all of its neighbors, which in this case include bothneighboring eNBs 14 and neighboring HeNBs 22. The increase in the numberof X2 connections increases the amount of resources necessary forcreating and maintaining these communication connections.

Another problem is that while most eNBs 14 are designed to be reliableand have high uptime, the HeNBs 22 may be powered down frequently.Power-down of the HeNBs 22 breaks the corresponding X2 connections tothe neighboring eNBs 14 and the neighboring HeNBs 22. This can lead toadditional resources being spent as the neighboring eNBs 14 and theneighboring HeNBs 22 attempt to reestablish the X2 connections, whichcan in turn impair the efficiency of the RAN 12. Furthermore, especiallyfor the HeNBs 22, which may use a backhaul network that is not otherwisepart of the LTE cellular communication network 10 (e.g., a homebroadband connection), the network addresses, which are sometimesreferred to as Transport Network Layer (TNL) addresses, may be differentupon coming back online after power-down. This makes it more difficultfor the neighboring eNBs 14 and the neighboring HeNBs 22 to reestablishthe X2 connections after the HeNB 22 comes back online, which againimpairs the efficiency of the RAN 12.

Systems and methods that address the aforementioned issues in theconventional LTE cellular communication network 10 are disclosed herein.In this regard, FIG. 3 illustrates a heterogeneous LTE cellularcommunication network 24 according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The heterogeneous LTE cellular communication network 24includes a RAN 26, which includes eNBs 28-1 through 28-3 (generallyreferred to herein collectively as eNBs 28 and individually as eNB 28)that provide wireless radio access for one or more wireless devices,which for LTE are referred to as user equipment devices (UEs) (notshown). The RAN 26 also includes HeNBs 30-1 through 30-3 (generallyreferred to herein collectively as HeNBs 30 and individually as HeNB 30)that also provide wireless radio access to one or more UEs. It isimportant to remember that the HeNBs 30 are used only as an example ofthe concepts disclosed herein, but the concepts disclosed herein areequally applicable to any type(s) of low-power base stations (LP-BSs)(e.g., LP-BSs for femtocells, picocells, microcells, or the like). TheseLP-BSs generally serve a smaller area than high-power base stations(HP-BSs) such as the eNBs 28. For example, some LP-BSs, such as HeNBs30, are deployed in individual residences or small businesses.

The eNBs 28 and the HeNBs 30 communicate with each other via X2connections. Note that while many of the embodiments disclosed hereinfocus on BS-BS communication (e.g., X2 communication) between HP-BSs andLP-BSs, the concepts disclosed herein are also applicable to BS-BScommunication between base stations of the same type (e.g., between twoHP-BSs or between two LP-BSs). BS-BS communication over X2 connectionsis used to, for example, coordinate connection handovers and performload management between the eNBs 28 and the HeNBs 30. In LTE, theseBS-BS communications (which for LTE are also referred to herein as X2communications) are sent over an Internet Protocol (IP) network usingStream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) as the transport layer forcontrol messages.

The eNBs 28 communicate with a core network 32 of the heterogeneous LTEcellular communication network 24 via corresponding S1 connections.Likewise, while not illustrated, the HeNBs 30 also communicate with thecore network 32 via corresponding S1 connections. In LTE, S1 controlmessages are also sent over an IP network using SCTP as the transportlayer. The core network 32 includes one or more Mobility ManagementEntities (MMEs) 34 and one or more Serving Gateways (S-GWs) 36. The MMEs34 are control nodes for the heterogeneous LTE cellular communicationnetwork 24 that are responsible for, among other things, tracking UEs asthe UEs move through the heterogeneous LTE cellular communicationnetwork 24. The MMEs 34 are also responsible for assigning the UEs tothe S-GWs 36. The S-GWs 36 operate to, among other things, route andforward user data packets, while also acting as mobility anchors for theuser plane during inter-base-state handovers and as anchors for mobilitybetween LTE and other 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)technologies.

The heterogeneous LTE cellular communication network 24 also includes anX2 Gateway (X2-GW) 40 for X2 connections between the eNBs 28 and theHeNBs 30. In this particular example, the X2 connections between the eNB28-2 and the HeNBs 30 are provided via the X2-GW 40. Likewise, the X2connections between the eNB 28-3 and the HeNBs 30 are provided via theX2-GW 40. For security reasons, traffic over the X2 connections willpreferably be encrypted using IP Security (IPsec) tunnels whichauthenticate and encrypt every IP packet. If the X2-GW 40 is consideredto be located at a trusted site, it may have one IPsec tunnel betweenthe eNB 28-2 and X2-GW 40, for instance, and one IPsec tunnel betweenthe X2-GW 40 and each HeNB 30-1 through 30-3. This means that the X2-GW40 can interact with the IP packets in order to decrypt and re-encryptthe packets as needed, according to one embodiment. The X2-GW 40 isbeneficial for the eNBs 28-2 and 28-3 because each of the eNBs 28-2 and28-3 maintains only one SCTP transport layer connection to the X2-GW 40instead of separate SCTP transport layer connections for each X2connection for each of the HeNBs 30.

As discussed below in detail, in one embodiment, the X2-GW 40 createsmappings between hostnames and network addresses for the HeNBs 30.However, it should be noted that the X2-GW 40 may additionally oralternatively be used to create mappings between hostnames and networkaddresses for the eNBs 28. Using the mappings, the X2-GW 40 is enabledto route X2 messages addressed with the hostnames of the HeNBs 30 fromthe eNBs 28-2 and 28-3 to the appropriate HeNBs 30. Among other things,this may allow for faster X2 connection reestablishment between eNBs 28and HeNBs 30 when the network address of any of the eNBs 28 or HeNBs 30changes for any reason, including if an eNB 28 or an HeNB 30 is assigneda different network address upon coming back online after power-down.This is only a benefit of one preferred embodiment and does not limitthe present disclosure thereto.

In addition to routing messages addressed with hostnames, the X2-GW 40enables the eNBs 28 and/or the HeNBs 30 to query the X2-GW 40 for thenetwork address of a desired HeNB 30 based on the hostname of thedesired HeNB 30. Specifically, an eNB 28 or HeNB 30 can query the X2-GW40 with a hostname. The X2-GW 30 then looks up the corresponding networkaddress and returns the network address to the eNB 28 or the HeNB 30that issued the query.

Notably, the X2-GW 40 is not limited to the functions described above.For instance, as discussed below in detail, in one embodiment, the X2-GW40 can also notify the eNBs 28 and/or HeNBs 30 that an eNB 28 or HeNB 30to which they are connected through X2 connections is unavailable. Thisreduces the resources being spent attempting to reestablish the X2connections with the eNB 28 or HeNB 30 that is unavailable.

Before further discussing embodiments of the present disclosure, a briefreview of the SCTP protocol used for the X2 connections is beneficial.SCTP is defined in Request for Comments (RFC) 4960. SCTP is designed forsignaling transport over IP networks. SCTP is connection-oriented andprovides signaling means between endpoints. An SCTP packet is made oftwo parts: (1) a common header containing source and destinationinformation and (2) one or more chunks. A chunk includes either controlinformation or user data. While not essential for understanding theconcepts disclosed and claimed herein, for more information regardingSCTP, the interested reader is directed to RFC 4960, “Stream ControlTransmission Protocol,” published in September 2007.

FIG. 4 illustrates the field format for an SCTP chunk 42 within an SCTPpacket. The SCTP chunk 42 comprises a Chunk Type field 44, a Chunk Flagsfield 46, a Chunk Length field 48, and a Chunk Value field 50. The ChunkType field 44 includes a chunk type of the SCTP chunk 42, where thechunk type identifies the type of information contained in the ChunkValue field 50 and takes a value of between 0 and 254. The value of 255is reserved for future use as an extension field. RFC 4960 defines thechunk types illustrated in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 ID Value Chunk Type 0 Payload Data (DATA) 1 Initiation (INIT) 2Initiation Acknowledgement (INIT ACK) 3 Selective Acknowledgement (SACK)4 Heartbeat Request (HEARTBEAT) 5 Heartbeat Acknowledgement (HEARTBEATACK) 6 Abort (ABORT) 7 Shutdown (SHUTDOWN) 8 Shutdown Acknowledgement(SHUTDOWN ACK) 9 Operation Error (ERROR) 10 State Cookie (COOKIE ECHO)11 Cookie Acknowledgement (COOKIE ACK) 12 Reserved for ExplicitCongestion Notification Echo (ECNE) 13 Reserved for Congestion WindowReduced (CWR) 14 Shutdown Complete (SHUTDOWN COMPLETE)

An SCTP packet including a chunk of INIT chunk type is used to establisha connection between two endpoints. The INIT chunk contains somemandatory fields as well as some variable fields. The variable fieldsare given below in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Variable Parameter Status Type Value IPv4 Address Optional 5IPv6 Address Optional 6 Cookie Preservative Optional 9 Reserved for ECNOptional 32768 (0x8000) Capable Host Name Address Optional 11 SupportedAddress Optional 12 TypesIn more detail, the IPv4 Address field is 32 bits (unsigned integer) andcontains an IPv4 address of the sending endpoint. It is binary encoded.An IPv4 Address parameter indicates a network address the sendingendpoint of the INIT chunk will support for the connection beinginitiated. The IPv6 Address field is 128 bits (unsigned integer) andcontains an IPv6 (RFC2460) address of the sending endpoint. It is binaryencoded. An IPv6 Address parameter indicates a network address thesending endpoint of the INIT chunk will support for the connection beinginitiated. The Host Name Address field can be used by the sendingendpoint of INIT chunk to pass its hostname (in place of its IPaddresses) to the recipient endpoint. The recipient endpoint isresponsible for resolving the hostname.

The INIT ACK chunk type is used to acknowledge the initiation of an SCTPconnection (i.e., an SCTP association). The ABORT chunk type is used toimmediately close, or terminate, the connection. The ABORT chunk maycontain Cause Parameters to inform the recipient endpoint about thereason for the abort. A description of the causes is given below withrespect to the ERROR chunk type. The SHUTDOWN chunk type is sent toinitiate a graceful close of the connection with the recipient endpoint.In contrast to the ABORT chunk type, the SHUTDOWN chunk type allows anybuffers to be emptied and other control messages to be processed whilethe connection is terminated.

The ERROR chunk type is used to notify the sending endpoint's peer(i.e., the recipient endpoint) of certain error conditions. An ERRORchunk contains one or more causes. An ERROR chunk is not consideredfatal to the connection in and of itself, but may be used with an ABORTchunk to report a fatal condition. The Cause Code of an ERROR chunkdefines the type of error condition being reported. Defined Cause Codesare given in Table 3 below.

TABLE 3 Cause Code Value Cause Code 1 Invalid Stream Identifier 2Missing Mandatory Parameter 3 Stale Cookie Error 4 Out of Resource 5Unresolvable Address 6 Unrecognized Chunk Type 7 Invalid MandatoryParameter 8 Unrecognized Parameters 9 No User Data 10 Cookie ReceivedWhile Shutting Down 11 Restart of an Association with New Addresses 12User Initiated Abort 13 Protocol Violation

FIG. 5 illustrates one instance of the SCTP chunk 42, where the SCTPchunk 42 is more specifically an ERROR chunk 52. As illustrated, theChunk Value field 50 includes a Cause Code field 54, a Cause Lengthfield 56, and an Upper Layer Abort Reason field 58. In this particularexample, the Cause Code field 54 is set to “12,” which is a UserInitiated Abort. The User Initiated Abort Cause Code indicates that theERROR chunk 52 was sent because of an upper-layer request. The upperlayer can specify an Upper Layer Abort Reason that is transportedtransparently by SCTP in the Upper Layer Abort Reason field 58. TheUpper Layer Abort Reason may be delivered to the upper layer at therecipient endpoint.

FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the heterogeneous LTE cellularcommunication network 24 of FIG. 3 where the X2-GW 40 obtains mappingsof hostnames to network addresses of the HeNBs 30 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. The HeNBs 30-1 through 30-3 firstdetermine their own hostnames and network addresses (steps 100-1 through100-3). The network address of the HeNB 30 is, in one embodiment, an IPaddress of the HeNB 30, which can be obtained or otherwise determined bythe HeNB 30 using any suitable technique. In one embodiment, thehostname of the HeNB 30 is a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of theHeNB 30, which, in one embodiment, can be determined by the HeNB 30using an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)Cell Global Identifier (ECGI) of the HeNB 30. More specifically, FIGS.7A and 7B illustrate components of an ECGI. The ECGI is a concatenationof a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) ID and an E-UTRAN Cell Identifier(ECI). Furthermore, the PLMN is a concatenation of a Mobile Country Code(MCC) that identifies the country where the mobile network is locatedand a Mobile Network Code (MNC) that identifies the network operator.Additionally, the ECI, as shown in FIG. 7A, is a concatenation of an eNBID (20 bits) which uniquely identifies a base station in a mobilenetwork and a Cell ID (8 bits) which identifies a specific cell servedby the base station. In the case of an HeNB 30 and some other LP-BSs,the base station has only one cell, such that all the digits of the ECI(28 bits) are devoted to unique base station identification, as shown inFIG. 7B.

Returning to FIG. 6, according to one embodiment, the HeNB 30 determinesthe FQDN of the HeNB 30 based on the following string:

-   -   henbID<ENBID>.mnc<MNC>.mcc<MCC>.3gppnetwork.org        where <ENBID>, <MNC>, and <MCC> are replaced with the values of        the ENBID, MNC, and MCC of the HeNB 30. The FQDN is then used as        the hostname of the HeNB 30. In other embodiments, combinations        of values such as Tracking Area Code (TAC), Tracking Area        Identity (TAI), and Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) ID are used to        create a hostname. Note that this is just one embodiment. The        FQDN may be determined using any suitable formula or means.        Further, the hostname is not limited to an FQDN of the HeNB 30.        Any type of suitable hostname may be used.

The HeNBs 30-1 through 30-3 then send SCTP INIT messages, including boththe hostnames and the network addresses of the HeNBs 30-1 through 30-3,to the X2-GW 40 (steps 102-1 through 102-3). In one embodiment, in orderto determine the network address of the X2-GW 40, the HeNBs 30 determinethe FQDN of the X2-GW 40 based on the following string:x2gw.tac-lb<TAC-low-byte>.tac-hb<TAC-high-byte>.mnc<MNC>.mcc<MCC>.3gppnetwork.org.The HeNBs 30 then query a Domain Name System (DNS) server using the FQDNto obtain the network address of the X2-GW 40. More specifically, usingthe HeNB 30-1 as an example, the HeNB 30-1 sends an SCTP messageincluding an INIT chunk (this SCTP message is referred to herein as anSCTP INIT message) to the X2-GW 40, where the INIT chunk includes thehostname of the HeNB 30-1 in the corresponding parameter field of theINIT chunk. The network address of the HeNB 30-1 can also be included inthe corresponding parameter field of the INIT chunk or, alternatively,may be determined by, for example, the sender address in the IP packetheader. In this manner, the HeNBs 30 sends information to the X2-GW 40including the hostnames and the network addresses of the HeNBs 30 viaSCTP INIT messages according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Note that the SCTP INIT messages are just one preferredembodiment. The HeNBs 30 may send the information including thehostnames and network addresses to the X2-GW 40 using any suitablemessage or message type.

Upon receiving the SCTP INIT messages from the HeNBs 30-1 through 30-3,the X2-GW 40 stores corresponding mappings between the hostnames and thenetwork addresses of the HeNBs 30 (steps 104-1 through 104-3). In thisway, the X2-GW 40 creates mappings between hostnames and networkaddresses for the HeNBs 30. According to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, new mappings are established as new HeNBs 30 are broughtonline or initiate X2 connections with the X2-GW 40. Further, in oneembodiment, the mappings may also be updated as the HeNBs 30 changetheir network addresses and/or hostnames.

FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of the X2-GW 40 of FIG. 3 where theX2-GW 40 enables addressing of X2 messages between the eNBs 28 and theHeNBs 30 using the hostnames of the HeNBs 30, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. An eNB 28 first obtains a networkaddress for an HeNB 30 and a network address for the X2-GW 40 associatedwith the HeNB 30 (step 200). According to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, step 200 is the Automatic Neighbor Relation (ANR) and TNLaddress discovery process of FIG. 9 (described below), but the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. Next, the eNB 28 initiates an X2connection by sending an SCTP INIT message to the X2-GW 40 (step 202).Notably, at the time of initiating the X2 connection, in thisembodiment, the eNB 28 does not know that the X2-GW 40 is in fact anX2-GW. Rather, the eNB 28 may only be aware that the network addressobtained for the X2-GW 40 is a network address of a gateway such as aSecurity Gateway (SeGW). In some embodiments, the functionality of theX2-GW 40 and the SeGW can be combined into a single gateway. In otherembodiments, the X2-GW 40 and the SeGW can be implemented separately.This transparency enables the procedures of the eNB 28 to be unaffectedby the presence of the X2-GW 40. If the eNB 28 does not know how to takeadvantage of the features of the X2-GW 40, the legacy procedures willstill be operational. This is only a benefit of one preferredembodiment, and does not limit the present disclosure thereto.

The X2-GW 40 then sends an SCTP message back to the eNB 28 informing theeNB 28 that the X2-GW 40 is an X2-GW 40 (step 204). In one embodiment,this SCTP message is an SCTP ERROR message (i.e., an SCTP messageincluding an ERROR chunk) that includes the User Initiated Abort CauseCode along with an Upper Layer Abort Reason that indicates that theX2-GW 40 is an X2-GW. By informing the eNB 28 that the X2-GW 40 is anX2-GW, the eNB 28 is enabled to take advantage of the functionality ofthe X2-GW 40 (e.g., send X2 messages through the X2-GW 40 addressed viaappropriate hostnames).

In this embodiment, the eNB 28 then sends a message addressed to theHeNB 30 using the hostname of the HeNB 30 (step 206). The X2-GW 40obtains the network address of the HeNB 30 from the mapping between thehostname and the network address of the HeNB 30 (step 208). In thismanner, the X2-GW 40 translates, or resolves, the hostname of the HeNB30 to the network address of the HeNB 30. The X2-GW 40 then forwards themessage to the HeNB 30 using the network address of the HeNB 30 (step210). Enabling the eNB 28 to address messages to the HeNB 30 using thehostname of the HeNB 30 in this manner provides many advantages. Whilenot being limited to or by any particular advantage, as one example,changes in the network address of the HeNB 30 will not affect theability of the eNB 28 to address messages to the HeNB 30. This isuseful, for example, because HeNBs 30 are more likely to use a backhaulnetwork that is not otherwise part of the LTE cellular communicationnetwork 10 (e.g., a home broadband connection) and the network addressof the HeNB 30 may change. Enabling the eNB 28 to address messages tothe HeNB 30 using the hostname of the HeNB 30 reduces the time andresources required to reestablish a connection between the eNB 28 andthe HeNB 30, since the eNB 28 will not be required to query via the MME34 or some other core network 32 element to determine the new networkaddress of the HeNB 30.

FIG. 9 illustrates a process by which an eNB 28 of FIG. 3 receivesconfiguration information about an HeNB 30 via an ANR and TNL addressdiscovery process, where the configuration information enables the eNB28 to establish an X2 connection to the HeNB 30 via the X2-GW 40according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. A UE 60 firstdetects a Physical Cell ID (PCI) of the HeNB 30 (step 300). The UE 60then determines if signal measurements for the HeNB 30 meet one or morepredefined reporting criteria (step 302). The reporting criteria caninclude signal strength according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. If the reporting criteria have been met, the UE 60 sends ameasurement report to the eNB 28 with which the UE 60 is alreadyassociated (step 304).

The eNB 28 analyzes the measurement report to determine if themeasurement report is associated with a source that is unknown to theeNB 28 and is a candidate to become a neighbor. This process is one ofmany adopted by 3GPP and implemented in the standards of LTE that worktoward a planned Self Organizing Network (SON). If the eNB 28 determinesthat additional information about the HeNB 30 is needed (step 306), theeNB 28 requests additional information about the HeNB 30 from the UE 60(step 308). The additional information requested by the eNB 28 mayinclude one or more desired or relevant parts of system informationbroadcast by the HeNB 30. As an example, the eNB 28 may request the ECGIof the HeNB 30. The UE then obtains the additional information from theHeNB 30 (step 310) and reports the additional information to the eNB 28(step 312).

The eNB 28 then uses this information, such as the ECGI of the HeNB 30,to query via an MME 34, or other element of the core network 32,requesting configuration information for the HeNB 30 (step 314). The MME34 then queries the HeNB 30 requesting configuration information for theHeNB 30 (step 316). The HeNB 30 then sends the configuration informationfor the HeNB 30 to the MME 34 that includes the network address for theHeNB 30 and the network address for the X2-GW 40 associated with theHeNB 30 (step 318). The MME 34 sends the configuration information forthe HeNB 30 to the eNB 28 that includes the network address for the HeNB30 and the network address for the X2-GW 40 associated with the HeNB 30(step 320). In one embodiment, the X2-GW 40 is not identified as such inthe configuration information. Also, in one embodiment, the networkaddresses are IP addresses; however, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto.

While the eNBs 28 are designed to be reliable and have high uptime,there may still be times when the eNBs 28 are not available. This couldbe due to unforeseen circumstances or scheduled maintenance, forexample. Due to the possible modularity and more personal aspect ofHeNBs, in some embodiments, the HeNBs 30 may be powered down morefrequently than the eNBs 28, or may otherwise become unavailable. Thisunavailability of an eNB 28 or an HeNB 30 can have a negative impact onthe efficiency of the RAN 26, among other things. According to oneembodiment, when the eNB 28 or the HeNB 30 determines that the eNB 28 orthe HeNB 30 is transitioning to an unavailable state, the eNB 28 or theHeNB 30 notifies one or more radio network nodes of the unavailabilityof the eNB 28 or the HeNB 30. As used herein, radio network nodes mayrefer to base stations (such as eNBs 28 and HeNBs 30), BS-BS gateways(such as an X2-GW 40), or any other node in the radio access network.This notification will, among other things, reduce the attempts toreestablish an X2 connection between the eNBs 28 or the HeNBs 30 (or theX2-GW 40) and the now unavailable eNB 28 or HeNB 30. This is only abenefit of one preferred embodiment, and does not limit the presentdisclosure thereto.

In this regard, FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate the operation of theheterogeneous LTE cellular communication network 24 of FIG. 3 where anHeNB 30 indirectly notifies one or more eNBs 28 that the HeNB 30 isunavailable via the X2-GW 40, according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 10A illustrates a scenario where the eNB 28 ceasescommunication attempts with the HeNB 30 until the eNB 28 is notifiedthat the HeNB 30 is available. Conversely, FIG. 10B illustrates ascenario where the eNB 28 ceases communication attempts with the HeNB 30for a specific period of time. In another embodiment, the eNB 28 ceasescommunication attempts with the HeNB 30 until the eNB 28 receivesinformation from a UE indicating that the HeNB 30 is available. Thismight occur, for instance, as part of an ANR process as described withregard to FIG. 9.

In FIG. 10A, first the HeNB 30 determines that it is transitioning to anunavailable state (step 400). This determination can be in response tothe HeNB 30 being powered down or otherwise transitioning tounavailability. Next, the HeNB 30 notifies the X2-GW 40 that the HeNB 30is unavailable (step 402). In one embodiment, this notification isaccomplished by sending an SCTP message over an X2 connection. Morespecifically, the message could be an SCTP message with a SHUTDOWN chunkor an ERROR chunk with a predefined reason in the Upper Layer AbortReason field 58 that indicates that the HeNB 30 is unavailable. Thismessage could, for example, encode that the HeNB 30 is powering down, oreven that the HeNB 30 is an HeNB and that it is powering down. Note thatthe SCTP message is just one preferred embodiment and that thenotification can be accomplished using any suitable means. Thisnotification is similar to the deactivation message that the eNBs 28 areenabled to send when disabling cells for energy savings. Currently, itis possible to include a Deactivation Indication IE with a value“deactivated” in an “eNB Configuration Update” message sent from an eNB28 or an HeNB 30 to another eNB 28 or HeNB 30. One possibility is toextend this with a dedicated value for “power down,” “HeNB power down,”or some similar dedicated value.

Upon being notified that the HeNB 30 is unavailable, the X2-GW 40 thennotifies one or more eNBs 28-1 through 28-3 with which the HeNB 30 hasan X2 connection that the HeNB 30 is unavailable (steps 404-1 through404-3). In order to accomplish this, in one embodiment, the X2-GW 40uses a table indicating, for each associated eNB 28 and HeNB 30, a listof other eNBs 28 and HeNBs 30 to which the eNB 28/HeNB 30 has X2connections to each other eNB 28 and HeNB 30. This table can be producedby any suitable means. As one example, the X2-GW 40 could compile such atable during the process described in step 202 of FIG. 8 where an eNB 28initiates a connection to an HeNB 30 using the X2-GW 40 as a gateway.

The eNBs 28-1 through 28-3 then cease communication attempts with theHeNB 30 until the eNBs 28-1 through 28-3 are notified that the HeNB 28is again available (steps 406-1 through 406-3). In this embodiment,sometime thereafter, the HeNB 30 determines that the HeNB 30 is in anavailable state (step 408) and, in response, notifies the X2-GW 40 thatthe HeNB 30 is available (step 410). The X2-GW 40 then notifies the oneor more eNBs 28-1 through 28-3 that the HeNB 30 is available (steps412-1 through 412-3). After the one or more eNBs 28-1 through 28-3 arenotified that the HeNB 30 is available, the one or more eNBs 28-1through 28-3 reestablish the X2 communication connections with the HeNB30 (steps 414-1 through 414-3). While they are not shown, there can beseveral other messages between the eNBs 28, the HeNB 30, and the X2-GW40 in order to reestablish X2 communication.

In FIG. 10B, first the HeNB 30 determines that it is transitioning to anunavailable state (step 500). This determination can be in response tothe HeNB 30 being powered down or otherwise transitioning tounavailability. Next, the HeNB 30 notifies the X2-GW 40 that the HeNB 30is unavailable (step 502). In one embodiment, this notification isaccomplished by sending an SCTP message over an X2 connection. Morespecifically, the message could be an SCTP message with a SHUTDOWN chunkor an ERROR chunk with a predefined reason in the Upper Layer AbortReason field 58 that indicates that the HeNB 30 is unavailable. Notethat the SCTP message is just one preferred embodiment and that thenotification can be accomplished using any suitable means. The X2-GW 40then notifies one or more eNBs 28-1 through 28-3 with which the HeNB 30has an X2 connection that the HeNB 30 is unavailable (steps 504-1through 504-3). The eNBs 28-1 through 28-3 then cease communicationattempts with the HeNB 30 for a predetermined time period (steps 506-1through 506-3). In one embodiment, after the predetermined time periodhas expired, the one or more eNBs 28-1 through 28-3 attempt toreestablish the X2 communication connections with the HeNB 30 (steps508-1 through 508-3).

In some embodiments, it is not necessary for an HeNB 30 to notify otherelements in the heterogeneous LTE cellular communication network 24about the unavailability of the HeNB 30. In this regard, FIG. 11illustrates the operation of the heterogeneous LTE cellularcommunication network 24 of FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure where the X2-GW 40 directly notifies one or more eNBs28 that an HeNB 30 is unavailable as determined by the X2-GW 40. First,the X2-GW 40 determines that an HeNB 30 is unresponsive (step 600). Thisdetermination can be in response to, for example, repeated failedattempts to contact the HeNB 30 by the X2-GW 40. The X2-GW 40 thennotifies one or more eNBs 28-1 through 28-3 with which the HeNB 30 hasan X2 connection that the HeNB 30 is unavailable (steps 602-1 through602-3). In order to accomplish this, in one embodiment, the X2-GW 40uses a table indicating, for each associated eNB 28 and HeNB 30, a listof other eNBs 28 and HeNBs 30 to which the eNB 28/HeNB 30 has X2connections to each other eNB 28 and HeNB 30. This table can be producedby any suitable means. As one example, the X2-GW 40 could compile such atable during the process described in step 202 of FIG. 8 where an eNB 28initiates a connection to an HeNB 30 using the X2-GW 40 as a gateway.The one or more eNBs 28-1 through 28-3 then cease communication attemptswith the HeNB 30 (steps 604-1 through 604-3).

In this embodiment, the X2-GW 40 subsequently determines that the HeNB30 is again in an available state (step 606). The X2-GW 40 then notifiesthe one or more eNBs 28-1 through 28-3 that the HeNB 30 is available(steps 608-1 through 608-3). After the one or more eNBs 28-1 through28-3 are notified that the HeNB 30 is available, the one or more eNBs28-1 through 28-3 reestablish the X2 communication connections with theHeNB 30 (steps 610-1 through 610-3). As discussed above, while they arenot shown, there can be several other messages between the eNBs 28, theHeNB 30, and the X2-GW 40 in order to reestablish X2 communication.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 11 illustrate embodiments in which an eNB 28 isnotified of the unavailability of an HeNB 30 via the X2-GW 40. However,the present disclosure is not limited thereto. More generally, theconcepts disclosed herein can be used by any base station to directlynotify another base station of its unavailability. In this regard, FIG.12 illustrates one embodiment of the heterogeneous LTE cellularcommunication network 24 in which the HeNBs 30 directly notify otherHeNBs 30 and/or eNB(s) 28 with which they have X2 connections when theHeNBs 30 become unavailable. The same process can be used by the eNB(s)28 to notify other eNBs 28 and/or HeNB(s) 30 with which they have X2connections when the eNB(s) 28 become unavailable.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate the operation of the heterogeneous LTEcellular communication network 24 of FIG. 12 where an HeNB 30 directlynotifies one or more eNBs 28 that the HeNB 30 is unavailable accordingto one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13A illustrates thescenario where the eNB 28 ceases communication attempts with the HeNB 30until the eNB 28 is notified that the HeNB 30 is available. Conversely,FIG. 13B illustrates the scenario where the eNB 28 ceases communicationattempts with the HeNB 30 for a specific period of time.

In FIG. 13A, first the HeNB 30 determines that it is transitioning to anunavailable state (step 700). This determination can be in response tothe HeNB 30 being powered down or otherwise transitioning tounavailability. Next, in response to determining that the HeNB 30 istransitioning to the unavailable state, the HeNB 30 notifies the eNB 28that the HeNB 30 is unavailable (step 702). In one embodiment, thisnotification is accomplished by sending an SCTP message over an X2connection. More specifically, the message could be an SCTP message witha SHUTDOWN chunk or an ERROR chunk with a predefined reason in the UpperLayer Abort Reason field 58 that indicates that the HeNB 30 isunavailable. Note that the SCTP message is just one preferred embodimentand that the notification can be accomplished using any suitable means.The eNB 28 then ceases communication attempts with the HeNB 30 until theeNB 28 is notified that the HeNB 30 is available again (step 704). Inthis embodiment, sometime thereafter, the HeNB 30 determines that theHeNB 30 is in an available state (step 706) and, in response, notifiesthe eNB 28 that the HeNB 30 is available (step 708). Lastly, after theeNB 28 is notified that the HeNB 30 is available, the eNB 28reestablishes the X2 communication connection with the HeNB 30 (step710).

In FIG. 13B, first the HeNB 30 determines that it is transitioning to anunavailable state (step 800). This determination can be in response tothe HeNB being powered down or otherwise transitioning tounavailability. Next, the HeNB 30 notifies the eNB 28 that the HeNB 30is unavailable (step 802). In one embodiment, this notification isaccomplished by sending an SCTP message over an X2 connection. Asdescribed above with regard to FIG. 13A, the message could be an SCTPmessage with a SHUTDOWN chunk or an ERROR chunk with a predefined reasonin the Upper Layer Abort Reason field 58 that indicates that the HeNB 30is unavailable. Note that the SCTP message is just one preferredembodiment and that the notification can be accomplished using anysuitable means. The eNB 28 then ceases communication attempts with theHeNB 30 for a predetermined time period (step 804). In one embodiment,after the predetermined time period has expired, the eNB 28 attempts toreestablishes the X2 communication connection with the HeNB 30 (step806).

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of one of the eNBs 28 of FIG. 3 according toone embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the eNB 28includes a communication subsystem 62, a radio subsystem 64 thatincludes one or more radio units (not shown), and a processing subsystem66 that includes storage 68. The communication subsystem 62 generallyincludes analog and, in some embodiments, digital components for sendingand receiving communications to and from the X2-GW 40 and in someembodiments, the HeNBs 30 and/or other eNBs 28. The radio subsystem 64generally includes analog and, in some embodiments, digital componentsfor wirelessly sending and receiving messages to and from the UE 60 inthe heterogeneous LTE cellular communication network 24.

The processing subsystem 66 is implemented in hardware or in acombination of hardware and software. In particular embodiments, theprocessing subsystem 66 may comprise, for example, one or severalgeneral-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors or othermicrocontrollers programmed with suitable software and/or firmware tocarry out some or all of the functionality of the eNB 28 describedherein. In addition or alternatively, the processing subsystem 66 maycomprise various digital hardware blocks (e.g., one or more ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), one or more off-the-shelf digitaland analog hardware components, or a combination thereof) configured tocarry out some or all of the functionality of the eNB 28 describedherein. Additionally, in particular embodiments, the above-describedfunctionality of the eNB 28 may be implemented, in whole or in part, bythe processing subsystem 66 executing software or other instructionsstored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as RandomAccess Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, or any other suitable type of data storagecomponent.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of one of the HeNBs 30 of FIG. 3 according toone embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the HeNB 30includes a communication subsystem 70, a radio subsystem 72 thatincludes one or more radio units (not shown), and a processing subsystem74 that includes storage 76. The communication subsystem 70 generallyincludes analog and, in some embodiments, digital components for sendingand receiving communications to and from the X2-GW 40, and in someembodiments, the eNBs 28 and other HeNBs 30. The radio subsystem 72generally includes analog and, in some embodiments, digital componentsfor wirelessly sending and receiving messages to and from the UE 60 inthe heterogeneous LTE cellular communication network 24.

The processing subsystem 74 is implemented in hardware or in acombination of hardware and software. In particular embodiments, theprocessing subsystem 74 may comprise, for example, one or severalgeneral-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors or othermicrocontrollers programmed with suitable software and/or firmware tocarry out some or all of the functionality of the HeNB 30 describedherein. In addition or alternatively, the processing subsystem 74 maycomprise various digital hardware blocks (e.g., one or more ASICs, oneor more off-the-shelf digital and analog hardware components, or acombination thereof) configured to carry out some or all of thefunctionality of the HeNB 30 described herein. Additionally, inparticular embodiments, the above-described functionality of the HeNB 30may be implemented, in whole or in part, by the processing subsystem 74executing software or other instructions stored on a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium, such as RAM, ROM, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, or any other suitable type of data storagecomponent.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the X2-GW 40 of FIG. 3 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the X2-GW 40includes a communication subsystem 78 and a processing subsystem 80 thatincludes storage 82. The communication subsystem 78 generally includesanalog and, in some embodiments, digital components for sending andreceiving communications to and from the HeNBs 30 and eNBs 28. Thestorage 82 can be on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such asRAM, ROM, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, or anyother suitable type of data storage component.

The processing subsystem 80 is implemented in hardware or in acombination of hardware and software. In particular embodiments, theprocessing subsystem 80 may comprise, for example, one or severalgeneral-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors or othermicrocontrollers programmed with suitable software and/or firmware tocarry out some or all of the functionality of the X2-GW 40 describedherein. In addition or alternatively, the processing subsystem 80 maycomprise various digital hardware blocks (e.g., one or more ASICs, oneor more off-the-shelf digital and analog hardware components, or acombination thereof) configured to carry out some or all of thefunctionality of the X2-GW 40 described herein. Additionally, inparticular embodiments, the above-described functionality of the X2-GW40 may be implemented, in whole or in part, by the processing subsystem80 executing software or other instructions stored on a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium, such as RAM, ROM, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, or any other suitable type of data storagecomponent.

The following acronyms are used throughout this disclosure.

-   -   3GPP 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project    -   ANR Automatic Neighbor Relation    -   ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit    -   BS Base Station    -   BS-BS GW Base Station to Base Station Gateway    -   CSG Closed Subscriber Group    -   DNS Domain Name System    -   E-UTRAN Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network    -   ECGI E-UTRAN Cell Global Identifier    -   ECI E-UTRAN Cell Identifier    -   eNB Evolved/E-UTRAN Node B    -   FQDN Fully Qualified Domain Name    -   HeNB Home Evolved/E-UTRAN Node B    -   HP-BS High-Power Base Station    -   IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity    -   IP Internet Protocol    -   IPsec IP Security    -   LP-BS Low-Power Base Station    -   LTE Long Term Evolution    -   MCC Mobile Country Code    -   MME Mobility Management Entity    -   MNC Mobile Network Code    -   PCI Physical Cell ID    -   PLMN Public Land Mobile Network    -   RAM Random Access Memory    -   RAN Radio Access Network    -   ROM Read Only Memory    -   SCTP Stream Control Transmission Protocol    -   S-GW Serving Gateway    -   SeGW Security Gateway    -   SON Self Organizing Network    -   TAC Tracking Area Code    -   TAI Tracking Area Identity    -   TNL Transport Network Layer    -   UE User Equipment Device    -   X2-GW X2 Gateway

Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modificationsto the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All suchimprovements and modifications are considered within the scope of theconcepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operation of abase-station-to-base-station gateway between a first base station and asecond base station in a cellular communication network, the methodcomprising: receiving information from the first base stationcomprising: a hostname of the first base station; and a network addressof the first base station; and storing a mapping between the hostnameand the network address.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first basestation is a low-power base station and the second base station is ahigh-power base station.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the cellularcommunication network is a Long Term Evolution cellular communicationnetwork and the base-station-to-base-station gateway is an X2-GW, andfurther wherein: receiving the information from the first base stationcomprises receiving the information via a Stream Control TransmissionProtocol INIT message from the first base station.
 4. The method ofclaim 3 wherein the SCTP INIT message comprises the hostname of thefirst base station and the network address of the first base station. 5.The method of claim 3 wherein the SCTP INIT message comprises thehostname of the first base station, and the network address of the firstbase station is determined from a sender Internet Protocol, IP, addressincluded in a header of an IP packet in which the SCTP INIT message iscontained.
 6. The method of claim 3 wherein the first base station is alow-power base station and the second base station is a high-power basestation.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the high-power base station isan eNB and the low-power base station is selected from the groupconsisting of a microcell eNB, a picocell eNB, a femtocell eNB, and aHome eNB.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving aconnection initiation from the second base station to initiate aconnection to the first base station; and informing the second basestation that the base-station-to-base-station gateway is abase-station-to-base-station gateway.
 9. The method of claim 8 whereinthe first base station is a low-power base station and the second basestation is a high-power base station.
 10. The method of claim 9 whereinthe cellular communication network is a Long Term Evolution cellularcommunication network and the base-station-to-base-station gateway is anX2-GW, and further wherein: receiving the connection initiationcomprises receiving a Stream Control Transmission Protocol INIT messagefrom the high-power base station; and informing the high-power basestation comprises sending a Stream Control Transmission Protocol ERRORmessage to the high-power base station with an error code that indicatesto the high-power base station that the X2-GW is an X2-GW.
 11. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: receiving a message from thesecond base station wherein a destination of the message is identifiedas the hostname of the first base station; obtaining the network addressof the first base station from the mapping between the hostname and thenetwork address of the first base station; and sending the message tothe first base station using the network address.
 12. The method ofclaim 11 wherein the first base station is a low-power base station andthe second base station is a high-power base station.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 wherein the cellular communication network is a Long TermEvolution cellular communication network and thebase-station-to-base-station gateway is an X2-GW, and further wherein:receiving the message comprises receiving the message from thehigh-power base station via a first X2 connection between the high-powerbase station and the X2-GW; and sending the message further comprisessending the message to the low-power base station via a second X2connection between the X2-GW and the low-power base station.
 14. Abase-station-to-base-station gateway configured for use between a firstbase station and a second base station in a cellular communicationnetwork comprising: a storage unit; a communication subsystem configuredto communicatively couple base-station-to-base-station gateway to one ormore of the first base station and the second base station; and aprocessing subsystem associated with the communication subsystem and thestorage unit configured to: receive information from the first basestation via the communication subsystem, the information comprising: ahostname of the first base station; and a network address of the firstbase station; and store a mapping between the hostname and the networkaddress in the storage unit.
 15. The base-station-to-base-stationgateway of claim 14 wherein the first base station is a low-power basestation and the second base station is a high-power base station. 16.The base-station-to-base-station gateway of claim 15 wherein: thecellular communication network is a Long Term Evolution cellularcommunication network; the base-station-to-base-station gateway is anX2-GW; and in order to receive the information from the low-power basestation, the processing subsystem is further configured to receive theinformation via a Stream Control Transmission Protocol INIT message fromthe low-power base station.
 17. The X2-GW of claim 16 wherein thehigh-power base station is an eNB and the low-power base station isselected from the group consisting of a microcell eNB, a picocell eNB, afemtocell eNB, and a Home eNB.
 18. The base-station-to-base-stationgateway of claim 15 wherein the processing subsystem is furtherconfigured to: receive, via the communication subsystem, a connectioninitiation from the high-power base station to initiate a connection tothe low-power base station; and inform, via the communication subsystem,the high-power base station that the base-station-to-base-stationgateway is a base-station-to-base-station gateway.
 19. Thebase-station-to-base-station gateway of claim 18 wherein thebase-station-to-base-station gateway is an X2-GW, and: in order toreceive the connection initiation, the processing subsystem is furtherconfigured to receive a Stream Control Transmission Protocol INITmessage from the high-power base station to initiate the connection tothe low-power base station; and in order to inform the high-power basestation, the processing subsystem is further configured to send a StreamControl Transmission Protocol ERROR message to the high-power basestation with an error code that indicates to the high-power base stationthat the X2-GW is an X2-GW.
 20. The base-station-to-base-station gatewayof claim 18: in order to receive the connection initiation, theprocessing subsystem is further configured to receive a Stream ControlTransmission Protocol INIT message from the high-power base station toinitiate the connection to the low-power base station; and in order toinform the high-power base station, the processing subsystem is furtherconfigured to send a Stream Control Transmission Protocol ERROR messageto the high-power base station with an error code that indicates to thehigh-power base station that the base-station-to-base-station gateway isa base-station-to-base-station gateway.
 21. Thebase-station-to-base-station gateway of claim 15 wherein the processingsubsystem is further configured to: receive, via the communicationsubsystem, a message from the high-power base station wherein adestination of the message is identified as the hostname of thelow-power base station; obtain the network address of the low-power basestation from the mapping between the hostname and the network address ofthe low-power base station; and send, via the communication subsystem,the message to the low-power base station using the network address. 22.The base-station-to-base-station gateway of claim 21 wherein: thecellular communication network is a Long Term Evolution cellularcommunication network; the base-station-to-base-station gateway is anX2-GW; in order to receive the message from the high-power base station,the processing subsystem is further configured to receive the messagefrom the high-power base station via a first X2 connection between thehigh-power base station and the X2-GW; and in order to send the messageto the low-power base station, the processing subsystem is furtherconfigured to send the message to the low-power base station via asecond X2 connection between the X2-GW and the low-power base station.23. A method of operation of a base station in a cellular communicationnetwork, the method comprising: determining a hostname of the basestation; determining a network address of the base station; and sendinginformation to a base-station-to-base-station gateway comprising: thehostname of the base station; and the network address of the basestation.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the base station is alow-power base station.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the cellularcommunication network is a Long Term Evolution cellular communicationnetwork, the base-station-to-base-station gateway is an X2-GW, and thelow-power base station is selected from the group consisting of amicrocell eNB, a picocell eNB, a femtocell eNB, and a Home eNB.
 26. Themethod of claim 25 wherein sending the information to thebase-station-to-base-station gateway comprises sending the informationvia a Stream Control Transmission Protocol INIT message from thelow-power base station to the base-station-to-base-station gateway. 27.The method of claim 23 wherein determining the hostname comprisesdetermining a fully qualified domain name of the base station based onidentification information of the base station.
 28. A base station foruse in a cellular communication network, the base station comprising: aradio subsystem configured to provide wireless communication with one ormore wireless devices served by the base station; a communicationsubsystem configured to communicatively couple the base station to abase-station-to-base-station gateway; and a processing subsystemassociated with the communication subsystem and the radio subsystemconfigured to: determine a hostname of the base station; determine anetwork address of the base station; and send information to thebase-station-to-base-station gateway via the communication subsystemcomprising: the hostname of the base station; and the network address ofthe base station.
 29. The base station of claim 28 wherein the basestation is a low-power base station.
 30. The low-power base station ofclaim 29 wherein the cellular communication network is a Long TermEvolution cellular communication network, thebase-station-to-base-station gateway is an X2-GW, and the low-power basestation is selected from the group consisting of a microcell eNB, apicocell eNB, a femtocell eNB, and a Home eNB.
 31. The low-power basestation of claim 30 wherein in order to send the information to thebase-station-to-base-station gateway, the processing subsystem isfurther configured to send the information via a Stream ControlTransmission Protocol INIT message from the low-power base station tothe base-station-to-base-station gateway.
 32. The low-power base stationof claim 29 wherein in order to determine the hostname of the low-powerbase station, the processing subsystem is further configured todetermine a fully qualified domain name.
 33. A method of operation of afirst base station in a cellular communication network, the methodcomprising: obtaining a network address of abase-station-to-base-station gateway associated with a second basestation; sending a connection initiation to thebase-station-to-base-station gateway, via the network address, toinitiate a connection to the second base station; and receivinginformation from the base-station-to-base-station gateway that indicatesthe base-station-to-base-station gateway is abase-station-to-base-station gateway.
 34. The method of claim 33 whereinthe first base station is a high-power base station and the second basestation is a low-power base station.
 35. The method of claim 34 whereinthe cellular communication network is a Long Term Evolution cellularcommunication network, the base-station-to-base-station gateway is anX2-GW, the high-power base station is an eNB and the low-power basestation is selected from the group consisting of a microcell eNB, apicocell eNB, a femtocell eNB, and a Home eNB.
 36. The method of claim35 wherein: sending the connection initiation comprises sending a StreamControl Transmission Protocol INIT message to the X2-GW; and receivinginformation from the X2-GW comprises receiving a Stream ControlTransmission Protocol ERROR message from the X2-GW with an error codethat indicates the X2-GW is an X2-GW.
 37. The method of claim 34 furthercomprising: obtaining a hostname of the low-power base station.
 38. Themethod of claim 37 wherein obtaining the hostname comprises determininga fully qualified domain name of the low-power base station based onidentification information of the low-power base station.
 39. The methodof claim 38 wherein the identification information of the low-power basestation is obtained through an automatic neighbor relation process. 40.The method of claim 34 further comprising: sending a message to thebase-station-to-base-station gateway that is addressed to the low-powerbase station using a hostname of the low-power base station.
 41. Themethod of claim 40 wherein the cellular communication network is a LongTerm Evolution cellular communication network and thebase-station-to-base-station gateway is an X2-GW, and further wherein:sending the message comprises sending the message to the X2-GW via an X2connection between the high-power base station and the X2-GW.
 42. Afirst base station for use in a cellular communication network, thefirst base station comprising: a radio subsystem configured to providewireless communication with one or more wireless devices served by thefirst base station; a communication subsystem configured tocommunicatively couple the first base station to abase-station-to-base-station gateway; and a processing subsystemassociated with the communication subsystem and the radio subsystemconfigured to: obtain a network address of thebase-station-to-base-station gateway associated with a second basestation; send a connection initiation to thebase-station-to-base-station gateway, via the communication subsystem,to initiate a connection to the second base station; and receiveinformation from the base-station-to-base-station gateway that indicatesthe base-station-to-base-station gateway is abase-station-to-base-station gateway.
 43. The first base station ofclaim 42 wherein the first base station is a high-power base station andthe second base station is a low-power base station
 44. The high-powerbase station of claim 43 wherein the cellular communication network is aLong Term Evolution cellular communication network, thebase-station-to-base-station gateway is an X2-GW, the high-power basestation is an eNB and the low-power base station is selected from thegroup consisting of a microcell eNB, a picocell eNB, a femtocell eNB,and a Home eNB.
 45. The high-power base station of claim 44 wherein: inorder to send the connection initiation, the processing subsystem isfurther configured to send a Stream Control Transmission Protocol INITmessage to the X2-GW; and in order to receive information from theX2-GW, the processing subsystem is further configured to receive aStream Control Transmission Protocol ERROR message from the X2-GW withan error code that indicates the X2-GW is an X2-GW.
 46. The high-powerbase station of claim 43 wherein the processing subsystem is furtherconfigured to: obtain a hostname of the low-power base station.
 47. Thehigh-power base station of claim 46 wherein: in order to obtain thehostname, the processing subsystem is further configured to determine afully qualified domain name of the low-power base station based onidentification information of the low-power base station.
 48. Thehigh-power base station of claim 47 wherein the identificationinformation of the low-power base station is obtained through anautomatic neighbor relation process.
 49. The high-power base station ofclaim 46 wherein the processing subsystem is further configured to: senda message to the base-station-to-base-station gateway via thecommunication subsystem that is addressed to the low-power base stationusing the hostname of the low-power base station.
 50. The high-powerbase station of claim 49 wherein the cellular communication network is aLong Term Evolution cellular communication network and thebase-station-to-base-station gateway is an X2-GW, and further wherein:in order to send the message to the X2-GW, the processing subsystem isfurther configured to send the message to the X2-GW via an X2 connectionbetween the high-power base station and the X2-GW.